Since 2008, Saro has been studying and performing traditional song. Her repertoire ranges from Appalachian ballads to African-American work song, sea shanties and American hymnody.
She has learned and taught countless songs through her Asheville Community Singing group, as well as conducted choruses for seasonal events including the May Day Chorus (2011, 2012) and Asheville Wassailing (2010, ’11, ’12, ’13).
Since childhood, Saro has had a fascination with ballad traditions, and her repertoire specializes in Appalachian ballads. She has spent time and studied with respected ballad singers including NEA-Award-Winner Sheila Kay Adams and NC Folk Heritage Award-Winner Bobby McMillon. She has performed alongside Sheila Kay as well as nationally-renowned performer Elizabeth Laprelle. In the spring of 2013 Saro was granted a Sound Archives Fellowship from Berea College to study and revive rare East-Kentucky ballads from the Leonard Roberts Collection.
Saro teaches ballad workshops, and performs sets regionally and nationally. In 2013 she completed her first solo CD “Vessel”- a 100% acappella compilation of ballads and songs from Appalachia and beyond. “Vessel” can be sampled and bought by clicking here.
Saro teaches workshops and performs regionally and nationally.